This isn’t a passing thing.He’s in love with me, too.He’s being as patient as possible.I believe he would have waited ten years if it took me that long to get on board.He also would have withheld sex, evil man that he is.It was effective, though.
I inhale deeply, square my shoulders, and smile with more conviction.“I’m great.”
Marian grins in return.“I should think so.”She winks at me.“I assume the rumors are true?”
“Depends on what the rumors are.If the gossip is that I’m in a relationship with Hendrix Kennedy, then yes.It’s true.”
Lara squeals and throws her arms around me.“I knew it.Girl… Damn, that man is hot.Smoking hot.You’re so lucky.”
Her response is a bit startling.I glance around because several others from the office are looking at us now.They heard her, and I’m the primary subject in the gossip mill.They step closer, leaning in.
I look at Lara and then Marian, who’s also giggly.It’s hard to trust that they aren’t yanking my chain.“I didn’t plan it,” I mutter.I don’t know what to say to make this better.
Lara rolls her eyes.“Nobody plans to fall in love.It just happens.It’s adorable.Maybe we should chip in and get you a gift card or something.”
Marian jabs Lara in the ribs with her elbow.“Lara!”
“What?”Lara exclaims.“It’s true.”
“Why…exactly?”I ask.
“Mr.Kennedy is a totally different man since he got back.Apparently, you’re to thank for that.Plus, a lot of us were concerned about being chosen to be his assistant.We were secretly hoping he would return and decide he didn’t need one.”
Marian winces.“We felt bad when HR sent you upstairs.You had no idea what you were stepping into.It turns out you were the perfect person for the job, and…thank you.”
It’s so weird for people to insinuate Hendrix was a grouch.I’ve never seen evidence of that.Do I really have that much sway over him?
“No one was mad?I mean, I’ve only been with the company two months.”I’m still skeptical about their reactions.
“God, no,” Marian says, shaking her head.“It’s not like you aren’t qualified.You’re a hard worker.You’ve tackled some really big projects this summer.You earned that spot, even if you weren’t sleeping with the boss.It’s not like you were in a relationship andthenhe had you transferred.”
I nod slowly.That’s true.Granted, I had met him at my graduation party, but it’s not like we fucked that night.Our “relationship” consisted of each of us pining over the other from a distance for two months with no communication.We had no idea we were both thinking the same lustful thoughts.
Lara leans in closer.“So, is he always happy and smiling like we’ve seen since he returned?”
“Uh, I guess.”Except when he’s about to come in my mouth.Then his expression is slightly different.I keep that to myself.
“I’m heading to the bar.What do you want to drink?”Marian asks.“My treat.”
I hesitate, looking at her for a moment and then at Lara, and finally scanning the rest of my coworkers.Several have returned to their own conversations.No one is glaring at me like they’d rather stab me.Maybe Hendrix is right.Or perhaps Mr.Hollenbeck is correct.Everyone is so grateful thattheydon’t have to be Hendrix’s assistant that they have no ill will toward me.
Shifting my attention back to Marian, I say, “Thank you.Gin and tonic.”
Chapter19
Hendrix
Kelsey is nervous.Understandable.She’s never been to Edge with her own Dom.Even though she has submitted to a number of people at the club, she’s never done so with someone who would end up inside her before the evening is over.She’s never submitted with sexual thoughts about that particular Top in mind.
I smirk in my head.My girl hadplentyof sexual thoughts over the summer when she submitted to other Doms and Dommes, but they were about me.I’ve felt pretty cocky about that since she told me.
I suspect that part of the reason why Kelsey has never been the type to slide into subspace before now is because, for her, the release she got from impact play didn’t take her as deep into her head as the totally different type of reaction she has with me.
I’ll be watching her closely and providing more aftercare than she’s needed in the past.
I’m wearing black slacks, a black T-shirt, and black shoes.My usual.I have clothes for Kelsey to change into in the bag over my shoulder.When we reach the second floor, I step into the foyer to check in with Marny before leading Kelsey to the third floor.
She’s very quiet when we pause at Easton and Drake’s office.I wave at them.
